Middle-aged women are more sexually active and enjoy better orgasms than
younger women, according to the latest scientific research.

Researchers found that more than half of 18 to 30 year-olds struggle to find satisfaction between the sheets - a much higher proportion than those aged between 31 and 54.

And the most sexually active groups is 31 to 45 year-olds (87 per cent) - ahead of 18 to 30 year-olds (85 per cent) and 46 to 54 year-olds (74 per cent).

But an alarming two-in-three women suffer from sexual dysfunction with the problems rising with age in all categories - apart from orgasm.

This bucked the trend with problems higher among 18 to 30 year-olds (54 per cent) than in the 31 to 45 (43 per cent) and 46 to 54 (48 per cent) age groups. It then soared to 66% in 55 to 70 year-olds and 87 per cent for the over 70s.

The survey asked 587 women of all ages attending a urology clinic in New Jersey about six key areas of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and discovered problems are widespread from disinterest to frustration.

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Study leader Dr Debra Fromer said: "We found 63 per cent of the women suffered from FSD and there were significant links between FSD and age, menopausal status and use of selective anti-depressants.

Overall the main concern was lack of desire (47 per cent) followed by orgasm problems (45 per cent), arousal issues (40 per cent), lack of satisfaction (39 per cent), lack of lubrication (37 per cent) and pain (36 per cent).

Dr Fromer, of Hackensack University Medical Centre, New Jersey, said: "FSD can have a major effect on women's quality of life.

"Self-esteem, sense of wholeness and relationships can be seriously and adversely affected, exacting a heavy emotional toll.

"Researchers have found significant associations between major categories of sexual dysfunction, reduced physical and emotional satisfaction and general well-being.

"That is why it is so important to ensure problems are identified and tackled wherever possible. For example a number of hormone and other drug treatments have been shown to benefit women with FSD."